Timesplitters Future Perfect

While fans wait anxiously for any news on TimeSplitters 4, a devoted set of developers/fans have been working around the clock on TimeSplitters Rewind, a multiplayer-focused send-up of the first three TimeSplitters game. Developed with Crytek's blessing, TimeSplitters Rewind is a chance for fans to re-experience their favorite multiplayer maps, only with updated CryEngine 3 visuals.

However, at the time of this writing, TimeSplitters Rewind is only being developed as a PC-only title for release on digital storefronts. That doesn't mean that the title won't eventually come to next-gen consoles, though. In fact, the developers behind TimeSplitters Rewind suggest there's a very real possibility the game will come to PS4.

TimeSplitters Rewind, for those that might not know, is a passion project for a small group of about 50 part-time developers, and is based around the best multiplayer levels from the first three TimeSplitters games. The developers got the blessing from original TS developer Crytek, and have been working to make this dream a reality ever since. And part of that dream is bringing the game to as wide an audience as possible.

In an interview with Gaming Blend, Project Lead Michael Hubicka reveals that his team has already begun work on porting TimeSplitters Rewind to the PS4. Rather than wait to see if Crytek and Sony will approve, the development team decided to bet on Sony's new indie-friendly initiatives and start working early.

“We're actually going to go ahead and start development [of TimeSplitters Rewind] on PlayStation 4. Just because we're pretty confident Crytek's going to say go ahead and do it. But we don't want them saying go ahead and do it when we're caught with our pants down and we're like halfway through development and [then] start something for the PlayStation 4."

"So we decided that since they released the SDK to allow us to do this, we're going to go ahead and do it ourselves, and when they say 'yes' or 'no' we can decide what to do with that. For now we're just going to go ahead and do it. So at least we're prepared."

It's important to mention that while the developers have begun work on a PS4 port of TimeSplitters Rewind that is no guarantee that the game will actually release on PS4. As was mentioned, the final decision comes down to Sony, who can rule either way. It's also up to the Crytek legal team to work out a lot of the finer contractual points.

Timesplitters Rewind Logo

Of course, if the developers are working on a PS4 port of TimeSplitters Rewind the obvious question then becomes, "What about an Xbox One version?" While it would make sense to take TimeSplitters Rewind to both next-gen consoles, Hubicka says that isn't in the cards.

Hubicka cites the Microsoft certification process as a major deterrent to potential Xbox development, saying that patching games can be a pricey endeavor after the first free patch, so much so that some games remain "broken" on Xbox Live as a result. Just look at what happened to Fez after the first patch.

However, if TimeSplitters Rewind finds success, we wouldn't be surprised if the topic of an Xbox One port is broached at some point in the future. For now, though, the development team is focused on getting the PC version finished and starting work on the PS4 port.

Would you be interested in a PS4 port of TimeSplitters Rewind? Do you think the developers should push for an Xbox One version?

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Source: Gaming Blend